Russian yachtsmen assisted and surf skier rescued by NSRI

The NSRI stations in Hout Bay and Bloubergstrand respectively rescued a Russian solo yachtsman and his yacht, plus an exhausted surf-skier in difficulty yesterday, 16 October 2014.

Hout Bay:

Geoff Stevens, NSRI Hout Bay deputy station commander, said at 1 pm NSRI Hout Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports authority following reports of a yacht at risk of being swept onto rocks at Chapmans Peak Point.

The Hout Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched the Albie Matthews rescue craft and Nadine Gordimer recue craft and on arrival found a 56 year-old Russian solo sailor on his 40 foot yacht Nicolai. The yacht was at risk of being swept onto shore in in gusting to 45 knot South Easterly winds and rough sea conditions.

The yacht was towed to safety into the Hout Bay harbour by the rescue craft. It had experienced motor failure after its last Port of call in Mauritius and the solo yachtsman tried unsuccessfully to enter the harbour in the wind so had returned to the lee at Chapmans Peak without motor power. The wind threatened to run his yacht onto the rocks below Chapmans Peak Drive and he called Telkom Maritime Radio Services for assistance. The Transnet National Ports Authority asked NSRI to assist him.

The Russian Consulate assisted the man with Visa entry to South Africa while the Hout Bay Yacht Club assisted him to berth his yacht and other assistance.

The Russian will remain in Hout Bay until his yacht’s motor is repaired:

Blouberg Strand:

Rhine Barnes, NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, said at 6.30 pm, 16 October, NSRI Melkbosstrand was activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority following eye-witness reports of a surf-skier appearing to be in difficulty off-shore of Big Bay Bloubergstrand.

Volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched the Mens Health Rescuer rescue craft at Big Bay in 2 meter rough, choppy sea swells and a South Easterly wind gusting to 35 knots. The crew found two surf-skiers had assisted a third, surf-skier, Scheepers Schoeman from Tableview, who had fallen out of his surf-ski and was unable to get back into his surf-ski. Schoeman was exhausted and hypothermic and being blown out to sea.

The two surf-skiers, Andrew Ward, from Mouille Point, and Jason Ratoray from Sea Point assisted the man back into his surf-ski but he was too exhausted to paddle. The pair stayed with the man assisting him to remain in his surf-ski until the sea rescue craft arrived.

NSRI Melkbosstrand brought the man ashore and he was transferred to hospital. With near drowning symptoms and treatment for exhaustion. The two surf skiers were commended for th assisting Schoeman.